The members of 2011 Saginaw Sting had some unique outside jobs, from defensive end Michael Carter doubling as a college professor, to early Sting player Noah Sanderson being a former Slamball player.

But wide receiver Zach Nichols may have just taken the cake.

Nichols was cast as a member of MTV reality show “The Real World” shortly after the Sting won the Ultimate Bowl June 11.

Within a week of the end of the season, Nichols was in La Jolla, Calif., moving into a 6,800 square foot beach house with six other roommates and plenty of cameras, to take part in the 26th iteration of the show, which has been on the air since 1992.

The new season premiered Wednesday at 10 p.m. on MTV.

Nichols said he hadn’t watched “The Real World” before inquiring about a spot on it. The whole process, he said, started as a joke between him and a friend that let to him sending an e-mail to MTV.

“It kind of snowballed from there,” Nichols said. “One thing led to another and I got invited to L.A. for my final interview, and from there they told me it was on the show.”

Nichols said he flew to Los Angeles three days after the Ultimate Bowl. From there, he went to San Diego, where he stayed until Sept. 8.

Joining Nichols on the “The Real World: San Diego” is a diverse cast of people, and Nichols said he doesn’t feel like there is any specific mold to become a cast member.

“I don’t think there’s a right personality for the show,” Nichols said. “I think it’s pretty much open to all personalities, which is why people watch it.”

The biggest difference? Having cameras follow him around day and night.

“That was absolutely the hardest thing,” Nichols said.

Nichols, a Brighton native, played for Northern Michigan for four years, compiling more than 1,600 receiving yards, including 613 as a senior.

He played in 12 games total for the Sting last season, and was second on the team with 71 catches for 1,013 yards and 25 touchdowns.

And whether or not his football career will continue next spring — Nichols said he hasn’t decided yet — he still considers playing in Saginaw a good thing for his career.

“Playing in Saginaw was the best thing I ever did, playing football,” Nichols said.